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Enlarged Prostate: Transurethral Needle Ablation

Topic Overview

Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) is used to treat an
enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
with a needle-shaped device that delivers heat to very precise areas of the
prostate. The device is inserted up the
urethra inside a tube (catheter) that protects other
tissues from being burned. The heat destroys specific areas that are blocking
the flow of urine out of the bladder. This relieves BPH symptoms. The procedure
does not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

Needle ablation
has minimal complications. The two most common are an inability to urinate
(urinary retention) in the first 24 hours after surgery and pain while
urinating. Sexual ability is generally not affected.2

The main advantages of this treatment
are:

It can be done without an overnight stay in the
hospital.

It has a short recovery time, although the symptoms may
take longer to improve.

Reports have warned that in a small number of cases TUNA has caused serious injuries and complications,
including damage to the penis and urethra. Injuries have required urostomies, partial amputation of the penis, and
other procedures. In December 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about these
injuries.

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